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When a raccoon bites your tire, call 911

ASHEBORO — A raccoon trying to bite a tire on a vehicle is definitely not normal behavior.

That’s what an unidentified citizen reported to Asheboro Police Det. Brenda McMasters on Thursday. McMasters was near Randolph Hospital when someone told her that the strange-acting raccoon was on White Oak Street at McArthur Street.

That the raccoon was out in the daytime and showing bizarre behavior was a red flag to Asheboro Police and Randolph County Animal Control.

Asheboro Police Lt. Jason Cheek said animal control officers located the animal behind CVS Pharmacy on Fayetteville Street, used caution to capture it and take it to the animal shelter where they will follow protocol to euthanize it and have it tested by the state lab. The state health department conducts all tests for rabies on suspected animals.

“Nobody was bitten and the raccoon didn’t come into contact with anybody that we know of,” Cheek said. “People stayed away from it and no one was in danger.”

Cheek said anyone who sees a wild or domestic animal behaving strangely should call 911 immediately.

“Do not approach an animal that is behaving strangely, especially a wild animal. Raccoons are nocturnal and usually run away from people. Just seeing one out in the daytime is unusual,” Cheek said.

The health department has identified at least 10 rabid animals in Randolph County this year.

The worst incident was early in July when Regena Fletcher was bitten and scratched by a rabid raccoon in her driveway at her residence near Liberty.